Hakahaki Bahas – Kathmandu, June 9: The government representatives and various stakeholders agreed on the importance of preserving the Chure region and stressed on the need to protect it from excavation. They expressed their views during the Hakahaki Bahas discussion program organized by Nepal Forum of Environmental Journalists (NEFEJ) today.

NEFEJ held the program to discuss the government’s decision to export construction material like stone, gravel and sand after conducting the environmental impact assessment (EIA) to reduce the trade deficit. The Deputy Prime Minister and Finance Minister Bishnu Prasad Poudel had announced the decision during his budget speech for the year 2078/79.

While addressing the concerns expressed by experts and journalists, Deputy Prime Minister and Finance Minister Poudel said that not even a small amount of soil and stone will be removed from the Chure region. He said that the government is aware about the importance of the fragile hills in Chure region and is committed towards conserving it.

It is the responsibility of the government to safeguard Chure region, Poudel said, adding, “Therefore, the government has taken the decision to export stone, gravel and sand without affecting the Chure region.”

Extraction will be carried out only from suitable areas after environmental impact assessment, he further said.

Responding to a question on planned excavation in the Siddhababa area of Rupandehi, Deputy Prime Minister Poudel said that as dozens of people lose their lives every year due to landslides there, some people have suggested that the hill should be flattened out. “But,” he said, “I myself have protested on this issue.” He informed that the government plan to construct a tunnel to ease the traffic in the region.

Ram Prasad Ghimire, Director General of the Department of Mines and Geology, said that the stone, gravel and sand will be extracted keeping in mind the environmental impact.

Secretary at the Ministry of Forest and Environment Pem Narayan Kandel expressed the ministry’s commitment on preserving the Chure region and said that the government decision would not negatively impact the region.

Member of the National Planning Commission Dr. Krishna Prasad Oli, Finance Secretary Shishir Dhungana and Chairperson of Chure Tarai Madhesh Development Committee Dr. Kiran Poudel also expressed their commitment that the government decision will not affect the Chure region and proper studies will be carried out before implementing the decision.

However, experts speaking at the Bahas, warned the government not to carry out any sort of extraction of construction material that could have negative impact on the Chure region which will lead to desertification in Tarai region.

Environmentalist Dr. Tirtha Bahadur Shrestha, highlighting Chure’s importance and biodiversity, said that any physical activities in and around Chure region would not only degrade the already depleting environment of the region while Dr. Binod Bhatta said that proper study is necessary before carrying out any activities in the region.

According to geologist Meghraj Dhital, extraction from a river should be done on the basis of its capacity after conducting a detailed study paying attention to the geographical environment. “If more resources are extracted from a river than its depositing capacity, sustainable development will not be possible,” he said.

Expert on Chure conservation Dr. Bijay Singh Danuwar, team leader of Chure Master Plan Formation Working Group Dr. Binod Bhatta and former finance secretary Rameshwar Khanal expressed their reservation on the government decision to export construction material and asked the government withdraw the decision.

Journalist Chandra Kishor expressed concern that haphazard excavation would destroy the Chure region and ultimately affect the Terai residents caused by desertification.

President of NEFEJ Kosmos Biswokarma said that the Chure region must be protected to prevent Tarai from desertification. “It is necessary to make sustainable use of our natural resources instead of exploiting them,” he said, adding, “The government should move ahead only after detailed discussions and studies.”

Station Manager of Radio Sagarmatha Subodh Gautam who conducted the program shed light on the importance of Chure region and expressed concern over the government decision to export the construction material.